Methods for augmented/virtual-reality transaction systems for enabling rapid transactions with deferred payment obligation and limited user interaction

ABSTRACT

Methods for rapid micro-payment transactions with deferred payments employ a network-connected AR device (“HMD”) having sensors for detecting a user&#39;s gaze/physical commands. Such methods comprise: receiving information from the HMD indicating a selected real-world/virtual content item for a potential transaction; causing the HMD to display a virtual transaction management widget (“TMW”) showing the selected item&#39;s cost, maximum threshold amount before triggering settlement; and any prior unsettled payment obligations; receiving further information from the HMD confirming the potential transaction based on the user&#39;s gaze/physical command; transmitting an authorization signal to a merchant offering the selected item without concurrently requiring payment when the selected item&#39;s cost and prior unsettled payment are less than the maximum threshold amount; and transmitting a signal to a payment system for settlement of the balance when the selected item&#39;s cost and any unsettled payment are equal/greater than the maximum threshold; and updating the displayed TMW accordingly.

BACKGROUND

Augmented and virtual reality systems have undergone substantialdevelopment over the last decade in particular, and are becoming amainstay in the gaming world. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplaryhead-mounted device (HMD) for augmented reality, as is described in U.S.Pat. No. 10,061,252 (“Distributed Augmented Reality System”), whichissued on Aug. 28, 2018 and is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety herein. FIG. 2 depicts the principal components in the HMD ofFIG. 1 . A variety of sensors (for example, eye tracker 710, positionsensors 725 and inertial measurement unit 730) as well as audio unit 305enable a wearer-user of the HMD to conveniently interact with virtualand real-world objects in an augmented reality environment by means ofvarious eye and head movements and positioning and voice commands. Inaddition, auxiliary devices such as mobile device 765 may provideadditional means for user interaction with the augmented realityenvironment. Similar configurations of virtual-reality headset systemshave been commercially available including, for example, systems underthe Oculus brand name, such as the Rift and Quest.

In gaming and other entertainment applications, for example, users areoften provided with opportunities to purchase content during anaugmented-reality experience. These purchases may, for example, bedirected to acquiring and/or enhancing virtual object content that isfeatured as part of the experience, or may relate to real-world items(for example, digital content, e.g., videos, publications, orphotographs) that are related to or otherwise promoted as part of theexperience. These items may typically be purchases of small value(requiring micropayments), and be made in the midst of a gaming or otherexperience. As a result, it may be very desirable for users andexperience providers that purchases be accomplished rapidly, withoutsubstantial system resource consumption, and in sonic cases withoutnetwork access to third-party payment and delivery systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure may be realizedin reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art augmented reality systemuseable with representative aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of HMD useable with the augmentedreality system of FIG. 1 and representative aspects of the presentdisclosure; and

FIGS. 3 through 12 depict representative virtual images created by HMDand visible to a user wearing such HMD in accordance with furtheraspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to an inventive method for enablingrapid purchase in a virtual and/or augmented-reality transaction system,with limited user interaction, by means of a payment system thatsupports deferred payment obligations including, for example, withoutrequiring initial account creation or advanced registration of a paymentmethod by the user. Such a deferred payment system is described forexample in U.S. Pat. No. 11,170,378 (“Methods for payment and merchantsystems”), which issued on Nov. 9, 2021 and is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety herein. As used herein, a payment systemuseable with the transaction system of this disclosure may furthercomprise accessing or maintaining one or more distributed cryptocurrencyledgers, or an electronic wallet of the user's personal device oraccount including such user's mobile device.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the inventive method beginswith an action by the user that indicates the selection of a real orvirtual object in the virtual- or augmented-reality, or holographicenvironment for a potential purchase or rental transaction. Suchindication and selection may be performed, for example, by means of atleast one of a user's continuous gaze for a predetermined period of timewithin a region of the item to be selected, signals associated with apointing device, detected predetermined head motion, hand, finger and/orarm gesture. It should be readily understood that the HMD describedherein may be a variety of forms including without limitations,eyeglasses, goggles, or partial helmets or other forms of head gear,having appropriate sensors for making and/or detecting the selectionincluding, but not limited to, for example, forward-facing camera(s),motion and/or gyroscopic sensors in the HMD or external devicesassociated with the HMD for detecting motion of wearer's head, hands,fingers, arms and/or pointing devices, and cameras and/or sensors fordetecting a wearer's gaze.

The potential transaction may be for the purchase of goods and/orservices, or rental of same for a predetermined time period includingwithout limitation physical items and digital content. As used herein,digital content includes, for example, videos, video games, images,non-fungible tokens (NFTs), podcasts, publications, music, and unique tothe user (or non-unique) digital images to displayed in the virtualenvironment including virtual clothing, outerwear, headwear, footwear,and jewelry, with or without associated images or avatars of the user,as well as any content communicated in a digital form. In addition, suchpotential transaction may alternatively be to gain access to digitalcontent from a local or remote content server for a predetermined orunlimited period of time period.

In response to this purchase indication, a transaction managementsoftware module causes the HMD to render an advantageous multifunctionvirtual tool, referred to herein as the “virtual transaction managementwidget” that is visible to the user. One aspect of the rendered virtualtransaction management widget is to preferably provide indications of:(a) a cost of the selected item; (b) a predetermined maximum thresholdamount available to be applied to a deferred payment obligation beforetriggering a payment settlement requirement; and (c) any prior unsettledpayment obligations. The transaction management widget tool mayoptionally further display an accrued credit balance as furtherdescribed herein.

After presentation of the transaction management widget to the user, asecond action by the user is detected, which directs a next stage of thetransaction. For example, detection of a predetermined number of headshakes or nods by the user within a predetermined horizontal or verticalangle range over a predetermined period of time in the case that anadequate amount of deferred payment obligation is available to beapplied to the purchase may signal the user's intent to proceed with thepurchase. Alternatively, the user's intent to proceed may, for example,be signaled by a gaze movement toward an edge of a field of view of theuser (for example, a corner of the field of view that displays ashopping cart for this purpose) or a virtual icon in the user's field ofview, blinking eyes a preset number of times within a predetermined timeperiod, another predetermined head, hand, finger and/or arm gesture, eyemovement or voice command. Such action and interactions by the user mayalternatively indicate that a purchase is not intended, or that apurchase just previously made should be undone (the latter action mayfor example, be made in response to information appearing in or near thetransaction management widget that queries whether the purchase isintended to be undone).

In the case of voice commands, an audio unit in the HMD or mobile devicemay be operative to recognize a voice signal that comprises one or moreof a trigger phrase (e.g., “LATERPAY this item”) and/or an alias of themobile device. Prior to recognizing any trigger system, the audio unitmay preferably be operative to authenticate/verify the voice signal asauthorized by the user.

In case of either of a transaction that is completed or a transactionthat is undone, additional information may preferably appear in or nearthe transaction management widget to confirm that the transaction hasbeen made or has been undone. In a case where communication with thepayment system is not available (for example, while the user is playingan augmented reality game offline), the transaction management widgetmay indicate that a deferred payment purchase is pending until such timeas a purchase request has been transmitted to and been approved by thepayment system (perhaps only momentarily in the case wherecommunications with the payment system are simply delayed orinterrupted). Alternatively, the request may be postponed by theaugmented reality system, for example, in situations where the user isdeemed to be in a time-sensitive transaction state (for example, makingthe purchase during a “heat of battle” state in a gaming application).

Once the transaction has been completed, the transaction managementwidget is preferably updated to indicate the new balance of unsettleddeferred payment obligations. When the user reaches a total amount ofdeterred payment transaction(s) that reaches or exceeds a threshold (forexample, a $5.00 threshold for payment transactions), the user maypreferably be presented with a transaction management widget indicatingthat the threshold has been reached, and be provided with access to thepayment system through the transaction management widget for the purposeof settling all or a portion of the deferred payment obligation. Thethreshold may be fixed, or may provide some flexibility to the user (forexample, requesting partial settlement when deferred payments total 80%of the threshold, or allowing for an overspend above the threshold onthe basis of the user's payment history).

The payment system may provide the user with more than one paymentoption for this settlement including, for example, paying either bycredit card, by Apple Pay, Google Pay, fiat currency, cryptocurrency,permitting third parties to pay the balance, applying accrued creditagainst such balance, or via an electronic wallet application activatedon a suitable device such as an associated mobile device of the user.Alternatively, if the user is unable to carry out the settlement at therequested time, the payment purchase may be made by alternate means (forexample, via the credit balance in the wallet application or bypermitting third parties to pay the balance). As another alternative,the deferred payment approach may be engaged secondarily only whenpayment is unavailable via the wallet or other payment application.

Alternatively, the system may allow for the threshold amount to be paidor have been pre-paid by a third party (for example, by a parent of theuser). This feature for example may provide an advantageous parentalcontrol and/or monitoring mechanism. Parental pre-payments, for example,may be periodically renewed by agreement via a payment means of theparent (for example, via a standing credit card payment replenishmentinstruction from the parent).

FIGS. 3 through 12 provide an exemplary illustration of the deferredpayment method as may be implemented in the augmented reality system ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 3 depicts a representative initial state ofthe transaction management widget multifunction tool that is produced bythe transaction management software module for display in the virtualenvironment by the HMD worn by a user. The user may advantageouslyinteract with the transaction management widget in accordance withaspects of the deferred payment method of the present disclosure. InFIG. 3 , the transaction management widget illustrates no outstandingdeferred payments are unsettled ($0.00 balance) by an absence of shadingof any portion of an “Omega circle,” and optionally by depicted text of“$0.00”. The rendered transaction management widget and certain of itsvarious exemplary states will be described in greater detail withrespect to an exemplary sequence of transactions by the user illustratedin FIGS. 4 through 12 .

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary virtual shirt displayed in the virtualenvironment for use with, for example, an avatar of the user, which maybe of interest for a potential transaction, e.g., purchase, license, orrent, by the user. The user may select the displayed virtual shirt usingany of a variety of methods including, for example, the aforementionedpointing devices associated with the HMD; hand, finger and/or armgestures; and/or by detecting a user's gaze that is directed toward theobject for at least a predetermined period of time. Upon selecting suchshirt for a potential transaction, the transaction management widgetwill be displayed for viewing in the HMD such as illustrated in FIG. 5 .The representative transaction management widget, displayed in FIG. 5includes the transaction cost of the depicted virtual shirt, i.e.,$1.76, with the Omega circle still displaying no outstanding deferredpayments are unsettled ($0.00 balance), and optionally, includinginstructions for confirming the transaction for the virtual shirt.

Then, upon the user interacting with the transaction management widgetto confirm the transaction for the virtual shirt, the display of thetransaction management widget will be updated as shown in FIG. 6 todepict a confirmed deferred payment obligation for the unsettledtransaction amount of the virtual shirt of $1.76, by representing theOmega circle with a representative black portion extending from theleft-portion end in a clockwise direction to a point proportionatelyrepresenting $1.76 of the aggregate total permissible $5.00 of deferredpayment obligation.

Detection by the augmented reality system of the user's interaction withthe transaction management widget, may be in the form of, for example,the sensors associated with the HMD detecting at least one of apredetermined number of head nods by a user within or outside of apredetermined vertical angle range over at least a predetermined periodof time, blinking eyes at least a preset number of times within apredetermined time period, predetermined head motion, hand, fingerand/or arm gesture, eye movement, pointing device action, and/or voicecommand. The user may cancel or undo such potential transaction usingother ones of the above referenced exemplary interactions with thetransaction management widget not used for confirmation of thetransaction.

As an aid to the user's interaction with the transaction managementwidget, an additional time indicator may preferably be displayed,beginning at the start time of the predetermined time interval, withinthe user's field of vision. The time indicator may indicate a timeprogression during the time interval, for example by means of a progressbar, countdown timer, a color coding and/or a clock. Updating of thetime indicator according to a progression of time, may preferably beprovided by a time unit of the HMD and/or mobile device, which may alsopreferably be operative to remove the time indicator at the end time ofthe time interval. The time interval may be preferably set to apredetermined constant value, for example such as 5 seconds.

After the transaction is completed, or alternatively, canceled orundone, the transaction management widget may then disappear after anappropriate or preset period of time, and reappear to the user when suchuser indicates interest in a subsequent potential transaction, or in apermitted recalling of a deferred payment obligation for a priortransaction. In the alternative, the transaction management widget maynot disappear, but be relocated to a region of the displayed virtualenvironment and/or reduced in size for continuously displaying thecurrent balance of the deferred payment obligation.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary second item, virtual pants, that may bedisplayed in the virtual environment by the HMD, and which may be ofinterest to the user for a second potential transaction, e.g., purchase,license, or rent, by the user. The user may select the displayed virtualpant using any of a variety of methods described above with respect toFIG. 4 including, for example, pointing devices associated with the HMD;hand, finger and/or arm gestures; and/or by detecting a user's gaze thatis directed toward the object for at least a predetermined period oftime. Upon selecting the virtual pants for a potential transaction, thetransaction management widget, will be displayed in the virtualenvironment by the HMD such as illustrated in FIG. 8 . Therepresentative transaction management widget displayed in FIG. 8includes the transaction cost of the depicted virtual pants, i.e.,$3.61, with the Omega circle still displaying the balance of $1.76 forthe deferred payment obligation by representing the Omega circle withthe respective black proportionally indicating such an amount relativeto the aggregate maximum permissible deferred payment obligation of$5.00. Also in FIG. 8 , the displayed transaction management widgetoptionally includes instructions for confirming the transaction for thevirtual pants.

Upon the user interacting with the transaction management widget toconfirm the transaction for the virtual pants, the display of thetransaction management widget will be updated, as shown in FIG. 9 todepict a deferred payment obligation for the unsettled total aggregatetransaction amount of $5.37, i.e., the cumulative transactions amountsowed for the transactions of the virtual shirt and the virtual pants,with the black are fully extending around the Omega circle. Thus, asillustrated, an overspend of $0.37 beyond that $5.00 threshold has beenallowed. Because the unsettled total aggregate transaction amount of$5.37 exceeds the aggregate maximum permissible deferred paymentobligation of $5.00, the transaction management widget of FIG. 9 furtherdisplays that “You've filled your $5.00”, and a selectable option to“Pay Now” to enable the user to easily communicate with the paymentsystem for settlement. If the user does not select the “Pay Now” optionor indicate cancelation of the potential transaction, the transactionfor virtual pants will not be completed.

Further, to the extent that such deferred payment obligation is notsettled, the transaction management widget, and or/the virtual oraugmented reality system may preferably provide a visual and/or audioalert to the user that until such payment obligation is settled, theuser will not be provided access to the payment system and will beunable to enter transactions for other goods, services, and digitalcontent via any of the augmented- or virtual-reality, or holographicplatforms, operating systems or websites supported by such paymentsystem.

Referring again to FIG. 9 , upon the user selecting the selection “PayNow” option, the exemplary transaction management widget is updated tothat shown in FIG. 10 with a representative selectable one or more userinteraction options, e.g., “Apple Pay”, for settlement. Upon selectingthe Apple Pay payment option, the user will be able to pay her/hisdeferred payment obligation of $5.37. It should be understood that suchpayment options may include one or more payment options described aboveincluding credit card, by Apple Pay (as shown), Google Pay, fiatcurrency, cryptocurrency, permitting third parties to pay the balance,applying accrued credit against such balance, or via an electronicwallet application activated on suitable device such as an associatedmobile device of the user. Once the user has paid the $5.37 paymentobligation, the transaction management widget may be updated to reflector confirm such payment as depicted, for example, in FIG. 11 .

The use of the transaction management widget rendered by the transactionmanagement software module in accordance with this disclosure not onlyenables users to quickly execute transactions with deferred payment, butalso may reflect, for example, credit or discount provided to or earnedby the user by depicting a corresponding segment of the Omega circle ina different color, pattern or shading, or outline of such segmenthighlighted in in a different color, pattern or shading. In a similarmanner, a voucher provided to or earned by the user, for example, forengaging in an activity in the virtual environment, may be reflected inthe Omega circle in a like manner, with or without an indicatorregarding the physical or virtual item or service for which such vouchermay be used. Such voucher may further reflect without limitation, earnedcredit and/or discount for a product, video game service, and access toevent such as a concert, theatrical play, sports event, museum, gallery,or tour of a physical or virtual museum or zoo. One particular exampleincludes earning such voucher engaging in an activity in the virtualenvironment for the earned credit or discount useable in the real worldfor products and/or activities including, for example, receiving aservice, or attending a concert, sports event, theatrical play, or tour.

FIG. 12 , shows a transaction management widget advantageously depictingan “Omega circle” (representing a $1.76 deferred payment obligation)with a pending deferred payment obligation is indicated by a gray arcextending away from the black arc in a clockwise direction for purchasesmade offline or during the period of time required for the deferredpayment obligation to be accepted for the corresponding confirmedtransaction. While the illustrated transaction management widget in thefigures is illustrated in the form of an Omega circle and U.S. dollaramounts, these also may be presented with alternate symbols including,for example, indicators of other shapes, such as bar(s) inclined ordeclined lines, and other currency amounts.

The invention is further described by the following numbered paragraphs:

1. A computer-implemented method for an augmented-reality transactionsystem for enabling rapid transactions with deferred payment obligationwith limited user interaction comprising the steps of:

-   -   establishing a data connection between a device and a        network-accessible payment system, the device being configured        to be worn on a head of a user, the device including one or more        image-forming components configured to generate light rays to        form images of virtual content, the one or more image-forming        components being configured to present the images to the user        and superimpose the images over views of a real-world        environment to create an interactive space such that the virtual        content is perceived to be present in the real-world        environment, the device further including sensors to detect at        least one of a user gazes at items in the real-world environment        and virtual items, blinking, head motion, pointing devices,        hand, finger and/or arm gestures and voice commands;    -   obtaining first information from the device of an item selected        in the real-world environment or indicated virtual content for a        potential transaction based on first signals from at least one        of said device sensors;    -   causing the device to generate virtual content of a transaction        management widget in response to obtaining the first        information, the transaction management widget indicating        statuses of (a) a cost of the selected item; (b) a predetermined        maximum threshold amount before triggering a payment settlement        requirement; and (c) any prior unsettled payment obligations;    -   obtaining second information from the device indicating a        particular interaction by the user with at least one of the        transaction management widget or another item in the virtual        space associated with the transaction management widget, said        second information indicating at least one of confirming or        canceling the potential transaction of the selected item based        on second signals from at least one of the device sensors;    -   causing the device to update the virtual content of the        transaction management widget in accordance with the obtained        second information;    -   transmitting a transaction authorization signal to a        network-accessible merchant offering the selected item without        concurrently requiring payment for the transaction, when the        total of the cost of the selected item and any prior unsettled        payment obligations are less than the predetermined maximum of        aggregate payment obligations; and    -   transmitting a signal to the payment system for settlement of at        least a part of a total outstanding balance when a combination        of the cost of the selected item and any prior unsettled payment        obligations equal or are greater than the predetermined maximum        threshold amount, receiving a settlement signal from the payment        system that payment has been received; and causing the device to        update the virtual content of the transaction management widget        to reflect the amount settled reflected by the received        settlement signal.

2. The method of paragraph 1, wherein the first information of aselected item is based on the first signals indicative of at least oneof a user's continuous gaze for a predetermined period of time within aregion of the item to be selected, signals associated with a pointingdevice, detected predetermined head motion, hand, finger and/or armgesture.

3. The method of paragraph 1, wherein the second signals from at leastone said device sensors indicates confirmation of the transaction of theselected item based on the detection of at least one of a predeterminednumber of head nods by a user within a predetermined vertical anglerange over a predetermined period of time, blinking eyes a preset numberof times within a predetermined time period, predetermined head motion,hand, finger and/or arm gesture, eye movement, pointing device action,and voice command.

4. The method of paragraph 1, wherein the second signals from at leastone said device sensors indicates canceling the transaction of theselected item based on the detection of at least one of a predeterminednumber of head shakes by a user within a predetermined horizontal anglerange over a predetermined period of time, blinking eyes a preset numberof times within a predetermined time period, predetermined head motion,hand, finger and/or arm gesture, eye movement, pointing device action,and voice command.

5. The method of paragraph 1, further comprising a step of undoing atransaction of a selected item when third information is obtained fromthe device based on the sensor signals being indicative of an undoingcommand.

6. The method of paragraph 1, further comprising the steps of:

-   -   transmitting a transaction authorization signal to the        network-accessible merchant offering the selected item without        concurrently requiring payment for the transaction, when the        total of the cost of the selected item and any prior unsettled        payment obligations are equal to or greater than the        predetermined maximum threshold amount, when communication with        the payment system cannot be established; and    -   upon establishment of communications with the payment system        thereafter, performing the step of transmitting the signal to        the payment system for settlement of at least a part of a total        outstanding balance.

7. The method of paragraph 1, further comprising the steps of:

-   -   transmitting a transaction authorization signal to the        network-accessible merchant offering the selected item without        concurrently requiring payment for the transaction, when the        total of the cost of the selected item and any prior unsettled        payment obligations are equal to or greater than the        predetermined maximum threshold amount, when such transaction        occurs when such device is a time-sensitive transaction state;        and    -   performing the step of transmitting the signal to the payment        system for settlement of at least a part of a total outstanding        balance, when the device is no longer in the time-sensitive        transaction state.

8. The method of paragraph 1, wherein the payment system includes atleast one of a network-accessible payment service provider,cryptocurrency ledger and an electronic wallet associated with the user.

9. The method of paragraph 1, wherein the transaction is either for apurchase, rental or access associated with the selected item.

10. The method of paragraph 1, wherein the transaction is either for apurchase or rental of goods and/or services of at least one of physicalitems and digital content.

11. The method of paragraph 1, wherein the transaction management widgetfurther indicates at least one of a credit amount, discount and/orvoucher.

12. The method of paragraph 11 wherein the voucher is for earned creditor discount for at least one of a physical product and digital content.

13. The method of paragraph 12 wherein the voucher was earned forengaging in an activity in the virtual environment and the earned creditor discount is for the at least one of a physical product and digitalcontent of a video, music, video game, service, or access to a concert,sports event, theatrical play, museum, gallery, or tour in the realworld.

14. A computer-implemented method for a virtual-reality transactionsystem for enabling rapid transactions with deferred payment obligationwith limited user interaction comprising the steps of:

-   -   establishing a data connection between a device and a        network-accessible payment system, the device being configured        to be worn on a head of a user, the device including one or more        image-forming components configured to generate light rays to        form images of virtual content in a virtual environment, the        device further including sensors to detect at least one of a        user gazes at virtual items in the virtual environment,        blinking, head motions, pointing devices, hand, finger and/or        arm gestures and voice commands;    -   obtaining first information from the device of an item selected        indicated virtual content for a potential transaction based on        first signals from at least one of said device sensors;    -   causing the device to generate virtual content of a transaction        management widget in response to obtaining the first        information, the transaction management widget indicating        statuses of (a) a cost of the selected item; (b) predetermined        maximum threshold amount before triggering a payment settlement        requirement; and (c) any prior unsettled payment obligations;    -   obtaining second information from the device indicating a        particular interaction by the user with at least one of the        transaction management widget or another item in the virtual        space associated with the transaction management widget, said        second information indicating at least one of confirming or        canceling the potential transaction of the selected item based        on second signals from at least one of the device sensors;    -   causing the device to update the virtual content of the        transaction management widget in accordance with the obtained        second information;    -   transmitting a transaction authorization signal to a        network-accessible merchant offering the selected item without        concurrently requiring payment for the transaction, when the        total of the cost of the selected item and any prior unsettled        payment obligations are less than the predetermined maximum of        aggregate payment obligations; and    -   transmitting a signal to the payment system for settlement of at        least a part of a total outstanding balance when a combination        of the cost of the selected item and any prior unsettled payment        obligations equal or are greater than the predetermined maximum        threshold amount, receiving a settlement signal from the payment        system that payment has been received, and causing the device to        update the virtual content of the transaction management widget        to reflect the amount settled reflected by the received        settlement signal.

15. The method of paragraph 14, wherein the first information of aselected item is based on the first signals are indicative of at leastone of a user's continuous gaze for a predetermined period of timewithin a region of the item to be selected, signals associated pointingdevices, predetermined head motion, hand, finger and/or arm gesture.

16. The method of paragraph 14, wherein the second signals from at leastone said device sensors indicates confirmation of the transaction of theselected item based on the detection of at least one of a predeterminednumber of head nods by a user within a predetermined vertical anglerange over a predetermined period of time, blinking eyes a preset numberof times within a predetermined time period, predetermined head motion,hand, finger and/or arm gesture, eye movement or voice command.

17. The method of paragraph 14, wherein the second signals from at leastone said device sensors indicates canceling the transaction of theselected item based on the detection of at least one of a predeterminednumber of head shakes by a user within a predetermined horizontal anglerange over a predetermined period of time, blinking eyes a preset numberof times within a predetermined time period, predetermined head motion,hand, finger and/or arm gesture, eye movement or voice command.

18. The method of paragraph 14, further comprising a step of undoing atransaction of a selected item when third information is obtained fromthe device based on the sensor signals being indicative of an undoingcommand.

19. The method of paragraph 14, further comprising the steps of:

-   -   transmitting a transaction authorization signal to the        network-accessible merchant offering the selected item without        concurrently requiring payment for the transaction, when the        total of the cost of the selected item and any prior unsettled        payment obligations are equal to or greater than the        predetermined maximum threshold amount, when communication with        the payment system cannot be established; and    -   upon establishment of communications with the payment system        thereafter, performing the step of transmitting the signal to        the payment system for settlement of at least a part of a total        outstanding balance.

20. The method of paragraph 14, further comprising the steps of:

-   -   transmitting a transaction authorization signal to the        network-accessible merchant offering the selected item without        concurrently requiring payment for the transaction, when the        total of the cost of the selected item and any prior unsettled        payment obligations are equal to or greater than the        predetermined maximum threshold amount, when such transaction        occurs when such device is a time-sensitive transaction state;        and    -   performing the step of transmitting the signal to the payment        system for settlement of at least a part of a total outstanding        balance, when the device is no longer in the time-sensitive        transaction state.

21. The method of paragraph 14, wherein the payment system includes atleast one of a network-accessible payment service provider,cryptocurrency ledger, and an electronic wallet associated with theuser.

22. The method of paragraph 14, wherein the transaction is either for apurchase, rental or access, associated with the selected item.

23. The method of paragraph 14, wherein the transaction is either for apurchase or rental of, or access to goods and/or services of at leastone of physical items, and digital content.

24. The method of paragraph 14, wherein the transaction managementwidget further indicates at least one of a credit amount, discountand/or voucher.

25. The method of paragraph 24 wherein the voucher is for earned creditand/or discount for at least one of a physical product or digitalcontent.

26. The method of paragraph 25 wherein the voucher was earned forengaging in an activity in the virtual environment and the earned creditand/or discount is for the at least one of a physical product anddigital content of a video, music, service, and access to a concert,sports event, theatrical play, museum, gallery, or tour in the realworld.

27. A computer-implemented method for enabling purchases related to anaugmented-reality environment provided by an AR device and/or an ARbackend, the AR device having at least one display and at least onesensor, preferably an eye tracker, position sensor and/or inertialmeasurement unit, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   visualizing a purchase incentive in the augmented reality        environment, in particular by using the display;    -   obtaining selection data based on first signals from the at        least one sensor, the selection data being indicative of an        item, in particular a virtual content item and/or a real-world        item, selected for purchase;    -   obtaining reaction data based on second signals from the at        least one sensor, the second signals being acquired continuously        during a time interval;    -   evaluating the reaction data to either confirm or cancel the        purchase of the selected item;    -   assigning pricing data and payment data to the selected item, in        particular by performing a database look-up;    -   if the purchase is confirmed, transmitting pricing data and/or        payment data to a payment system to initiate a payment of the        selected item.

28. The method according to paragraph 27, characterized in that thepurchase is confirmed if at least a part of the reaction data isindicative of

-   -   a user's gaze to a region in the augmented reality environment,        preferably indicated by sensor signals of the eye tracker;    -   a user's position in a region in the augmented reality        environment, preferable indicated by sensor signals of the        position sensor and/or the inertial measurement unit; and/or    -   a predetermined number of nods by the user, preferably indicated        by sensor signals of the inertial measurement unit;

29. The method according to any of the preceding paragraphs beginningwith paragraph 27, characterized in that the purchase is cancelled if atleast a part of the reaction data is indicative of a predeterminednumber of headshakes by the user, preferably indicated by sensor signalsof the inertial measurement unit.

30. The method according to any of the preceding paragraphs beginningwith paragraph 27, in particular paragraph 28, characterized in that themethod further comprises the step of

-   -   visualizing a time progression during the time interval in the        augmented reality environment, in particular by means of a        progress bar, countdown timer, a color coding and/or clock.

31. The method according to any of the preceding paragraphs beginningwith paragraph 27, characterized in that the method further comprises:

-   -   storing a start time of the time interval in reaction to or        triggered by at least one of the first signals;    -   determining an end time of the time interval, preferably such        that the difference between the end time and the start time        equals a predetermined constant, preferably less than 5 sec.

32. The method according to any of the preceding paragraphs beginningwith paragraph 27, in particular paragraphs 30-31, characterized in thatvisualizing the time progression comprises one or more of the followingsteps:

-   -   Displaying a time indicator at the start time of the time        interval, in particular using the display;    -   Updating the time indicator according to a progression of time,        preferably provided by a time unit of the VR device;    -   Removing the time indicator at the end time of the time        interval;

33. The method according to any of the preceding paragraphs beginningwith paragraph 27, characterized in that the payment system is adaptedto perform a payment transaction from a user such that payment is onlyrequired if the total cost of an item cost, according to the pricingdata, and a total of unsettled prior obligations associated with theuser exceeds a threshold amount.

34. The method according to any of the preceding paragraphs beginningwith paragraph 27, in particular paragraph 33, characterized in that atransaction management widget is displayed in the augmented realityenvironment, the transaction management widget indicating at least oneof:

-   -   the pricing data of the selected item;    -   the threshold amount before the payment system requires a        payment;    -   unsettled prior obligations, if existing.

35. A computer-implemented method, in particular according to any of thepreceding paragraphs beginning with paragraph 27, for enabling purchasesrelated to an augmented-reality environment provided by an AR deviceand/or an AR backend, the AR device having at least one display and atleast one sensor, preferably an eye tracker, position sensor and/orinertial measurement unit, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving, by a mobile device, a trigger signal, in particular a        audio signal, the trigger signal being indicative of a user's        purchase intention;    -   identifying, by the mobile device, at least one item related to        the purchase intention, in particular by sending at least one        request to the VR device and/or the VR backend;    -   assigning pricing data and payment data to the identified item,        in particular by performing a database look-up;    -   transmitting, by the mobile device, pricing data and/or payment        data to a payment system to initiate a payment of the selected        item.

36. The method according to any of the preceding paragraphs beginningwith paragraph 27, in particular paragraph 35, characterized in that theidentifying of the at least one item related to the purchase intentioncomprises:

-   -   sending, by the mobile device, a request to the VR device and/or        to the VR backend, comprising identification data and data        related to the purchase intention;    -   relating, by the VR device and/or the VR backend, the request to        an avatar in the augmented reality environment, the avatar being        associated with the identification data;    -   determining, by the VR device and/or the VR backend, at least        one item using the data related to the purchase information and        at least one property oldie avatar.

37. The method according to any of the preceding paragraphs beginningwith paragraph 27, in particular paragraphs 35-36, wherein the at leastone property of the avatar corresponds to

-   -   a user's gaze to a region in the augmented reality environment,        preferably indicated by sensor signals of an eye tracker; and/or    -   a user's position in a region in the augmented reality        environment, preferable indicated by sensor signals of the        position sensor and/or inertial measurement unit.

38. The method according to any of the preceding paragraphs beginningwith paragraph 27, in particular paragraphs 35-37, wherein the triggersignal is a voice signal and the method further comprises the step of

-   -   verifying authenticity of the voice signal,

39. The method according to any of the preceding paragraphs beginningwith paragraph 27, in particular paragraphs 35-38, wherein the triggersignal is a voice signal comprising a trigger phrase and/or an alias ofthe mobile device.

40. The method according to any of the preceding paragraphs beginningwith paragraph 27, in particular paragraphs 35-39, characterized in thatthe method further comprises the step of:

-   -   selecting, by the mobile device, a payment system out of a        plurality of payment systems, in particular using the pricing        data and/or payment data;

41. The method according to any of the preceding paragraphs beginningwith paragraph 27, in particular paragraphs 35-40, characterized in thatthe method further comprises the step of:

-   -   Transmitting description data related to the identified item by        the mobile device to the VR device;    -   Visualizing the description data by the VR device, in particular        by using the display;    -   Evaluating, by the VR device, reaction data based on third        signals from the at least one sensor to confirm or cancel the        purchase of the selected item.

42. A computer readable medium storing instructions that when executedby at least one processor cause the at least one processor to implementa method according to any of the preceding paragraphs beginning withparagraph 27.

43. A VR device comprising a computer readable medium according toparagraph 42.

44. A system for enabling purchases related to an augmented-realityenvironment, the system comprising:

-   -   an AR device having at least one display and at least one        sensor, preferably an eye tracker, position sensor and/or        inertial measurement unit;    -   an AR backend;    -   at least one payment system,        wherein an augmented reality environment is provided by the AR        device and/or the AR backend, wherein the AR device is        configured to visualize a purchase incentive, in particular by        using the display, in the augmented reality environment and the        AR backend is configured to at least one of the following:    -   obtaining selection data based on first signals from the at        least one sensor, the selection data being indicative of an item        selected for purchase;    -   obtaining reaction data based on second signals from the at        least one sensor, the second signals being acquired continuously        during a time interval;    -   evaluating the reaction data to either confirm or cancel the        purchase of the selected item;    -   assigning pricing data and payment data to the selected item, in        particular by performing a database look-up;    -   if the purchase is confirmed, transmitting pricing data and/or        payment data to a payment system to initiate a payment of the        selected item.

45. The system according to paragraph 44, characterized in that thesystem further comprises a mobile device, in particular a smartphone ora smart speaker, configured to at least one of the following:

-   -   receiving a trigger signal, in particular a voice signal, from        the AR device, the trigger signal being indicative of a user's        purchase intention;    -   identifying at least one item related to the purchase intention,        in particular by sending at least one request to the VR device        and/or the VR backend;    -   assigning pricing data and payment data to the identified item,        in particular by performing a database look-up;    -   transmitting pricing data and/or payment data to a payment        system to initiate a payment of the selected item.

By implementing the advantageous unique virtual transaction managementwidget multifunction tool and enabling a user to interact with suchimage indicator in connection with the selection of a real or virtualobject in the virtual- or augmented-reality environment for a potentialpurchase, rental or access transaction, the transaction systems inaccordance with this disclosure beneficially enable rapid transactionsincluding confirmation of such transactions have deferred paymentobligations with limited user interaction. Such transactions systems andmethods therefor are particularly advantageous for micropaymenttransactions in the virtual environment.

It will be understood that, while various aspects Utile presentdisclosure have been illustrated and described by way of example, theinvention described herein is not limited thereto, but may be otherwisevariously embodied as suggested by the disclosure and as indicatedwithin the scope of the following exemplary claims. For example,although the disclosure describes the inventive methods of thetransaction systems for enabling rapid transactions with deferredpayment obligation and limited user interaction with regard to avirtual-reality HMD and system, such inventively may additionally beimplemented in an augmented-reality or holographic system, or the like.

1. A computer-implemented method for an augmented-reality transactionsystem for enabling rapid transactions with deferred payment obligationwith limited user interaction comprising the steps of: establishing adata connection between a device and a network-accessible paymentsystem, the device being configured to be worn on a head of a user, thedevice including one or more image-forming components configured togenerate light rays to form images of virtual content, the one or moreimage-forming components being configured to present the images to theuser and superimpose the images over views of a real-world environmentto create an interactive space such that the virtual content isperceived to be present in the real-world environment, the devicefurther including sensors to detect at least one of a user gazes atitems in the real-world environment and virtual items, blinking, headmotion, pointing devices, hand, finger and/or arm gestures and voicecommands; obtaining first information from the device of an itemselected in the real-world environment or indicated virtual content fora potential transaction based on first signals from at least one of saiddevice sensors; causing the device to generate virtual content of atransaction management widget in response to obtaining the firstinformation, the transaction management widget indicating statuses of(a) a cost of the selected item; (b) a predetermined maximum thresholdamount before triggering a payment settlement requirement; and (c) anyprior unsettled payment obligations; obtaining second information fromthe device indicating a particular interaction by the user with at leastone of the transaction management widget or another item in the virtualspace associated with the transaction management widget, said secondinformation indicating at least one of confirming or canceling thepotential transaction of the selected item based on second signals fromat least one of the device sensors; causing the device to update thevirtual content of the transaction management widget in accordance withthe obtained second information; transmitting a transactionauthorization signal to a network-accessible merchant offering theselected item without concurrently requiring payment for thetransaction, when the total of the cost of the selected item and anyprior unsettled payment obligations are less than the predeterminedmaximum of aggregate payment obligations; and transmitting a signal tothe payment system for settlement of at least a part of a totaloutstanding balance when a combination of the cost of the selected itemand any prior unsettled payment obligations equal or are greater thanthe predetermined maximum threshold amount, receiving a settlementsignal from the payment system that payment has been received; andcausing the device to update the virtual content of the transactionmanagement widget to reflect the amount settled reflected by thereceived settlement signal.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstinformation of a selected item is based on the first signals indicativeof at least one of a user's continuous gaze for a predetermined periodof time within a region of the item to be selected, signals associatedwith a pointing device, detected predetermined head motion, hand, fingerand/or arm gesture.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second signalsfrom at least one said device sensors indicates confirmation of thetransaction of the selected item based on the detection of at least oneof a predetermined number of head nods by a user within a predeterminedvertical angle range over a predetermined period of time, blinking eyesa preset number of times within a predetermined time period,predetermined head motion, hand, finger and/or arm gesture, eyemovement, pointing device action, and voice command.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the second signals from at least one said devicesensors indicates canceling the transaction of the selected item basedon the detection of at least one of a predetermined number of headshakes by a user within a predetermined horizontal angle range over apredetermined period of time, blinking eyes a preset number of timeswithin a predetermined time period, predetermined head motion, hand,finger and/or arm gesture, eye movement, pointing device action, andvoice command.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step ofundoing a transaction of a selected item when third information isobtained from the device based on the sensor signals being indicative ofan undoing command.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising thesteps of: transmitting a transaction authorization signal to thenetwork-accessible merchant offering the selected item withoutconcurrently requiring payment for the transaction, when the total ofthe cost of the selected item and any prior unsettled paymentobligations are equal to or greater than the predetermined maximumthreshold amount, when communication with the payment system cannot beestablished; and upon establishment of communications with the paymentsystem thereafter, performing the step of transmitting the signal to thepayment system for settlement or at least a part of a total outstandingbalance.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps oftransmitting a transaction authorization signal to thenetwork-accessible merchant offering the selected item withoutconcurrently requiring payment for the transaction, when the total ofthe cost of the selected item and any prior unsettled paymentobligations are equal to or greater than the predetermined maximumthreshold amount, when such transaction occurs when such device is atime-sensitive transaction state; and performing the step oftransmitting the signal to the payment system for settlement of at leasta part of a total outstanding balance, when the device is no longer inthe time-sensitive transaction state.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinthe payment system includes at least one of a network-accessible paymentservice provider, cryptocurrency ledger and an electronic walletassociated with the user.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein thetransaction is either for a purchase, rental or access associated withthe selected item.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction iseither for a purchase or rental of goods and/or services of at least oneof physical items, digital items, publications, music, and digitalimages to displayed in the virtual environment.
 11. The method of claim1, wherein the transaction management widget further indicates at leastone of a credit amount or voucher.
 12. The method of claim 11 whereinthe voucher is for earned credit and/or discount for at least one of aproduct, video game, service, or access to a concert, sports event,theatrical play, museum, gallery, or tour.
 13. The method of claim 12wherein the voucher was earned for engaging in an activity in thevirtual environment and the earned credit and/or discount is for the atleast one of a product, video game, service, or access to a concert,sports event, theatrical play, museum, gallery, or tour in the realworld.
 14. A computer-implemented method for a virtual-realitytransaction system for enabling rapid transactions with deferred paymentobligation with limited user interaction comprising the steps of:establishing a data connection between a device and a network-accessiblepayment system, the device being configured to be worn on a head of auser, the device including one or more image-forming componentsconfigured to generate light rays to form images of virtual content in avirtual environment, the device further including sensors to detect atleast one of a user gazes at virtual items in the virtual environment,blinking, head motions, pointing devices, hand, finger and/or armgestures and voice commands; obtaining first information from the deviceof an item selected indicated virtual content for a potentialtransaction based on first signals from at least one of said devicesensors; causing the device to generate virtual content of a transactionmanagement widget in response to obtaining the first information, thetransaction management widget indicating statuses of (a) a cost of theselected item; (b) a predetermined maximum threshold amount beforetriggering a payment settlement requirement; and (c) any prior unsettledpayment obligations; obtaining second information from the deviceindicating a particular interaction by the user with at least one of thetransaction management widget or another item in the virtual spaceassociated with the transaction management widget, said secondinformation indicating at least one of confirming or canceling thepotential transaction of the selected item based on second signals fromat least one of the device sensors; causing the device to update thevirtual content of the transaction management widget in accordance withthe obtained second information; transmitting a transactionauthorization signal to a network-accessible merchant offering theselected item without concurrently requiring payment for thetransaction, when the total of the cost of the selected item and anyprior unsettled payment obligations are less than the predeterminedmaximum of aggregate payment obligations; and transmitting a signal tothe payment system for settlement of at least a part of a totaloutstanding balance when a combination of the cost of the selected itemand any prior unsettled payment obligations equal or are greater thanthe predetermined maximum threshold amount, receiving a settlementsignal from the payment system that payment has been received, andcausing the device to update the virtual content of the transactionmanagement widget to reflect the amount settled reflected by thereceived settlement signal.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein thefirst information of a selected item is based on the first signals areindicative of at least one of a user's continuous gaze for apredetermined period of time within a region of the item to be selected,signals associated pointing devices, predetermined head motion, hand,finger and/or arm gesture.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein thesecond signals from at least one said device sensors indicatesconfirmation of the transaction of the selected item based on thedetection of at least one of a predetermined number of head nods by auser within a predetermined vertical angle range over a predeterminedperiod of time, blinking eyes a preset number of times within apredetermined time period, predetermined head motion, hand, lingerand/or arm gesture, eye movement or voice command.
 17. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the second signals from at least one said devicesensors indicates canceling the transaction of the selected item basedon the detection of at least one of a predetermined number of headshakes by a user within a predetermined horizontal angle range over apredetermined period of time, blinking eyes a preset number of timeswithin a predetermined time period, predetermined head motion, hand,linger and/or arm gesture, eye movement or voice command.
 18. The methodof claim 14, further comprising a step of undoing a transaction of aselected item when third information is obtained from the device basedon the sensor signals being indicative of an undoing command.
 19. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising the steps of: transmitting atransaction authorization signal to the network-accessible merchantoffering the selected item without concurrently requiring payment forthe transaction, when the total of the cost of the selected item and anyprior unsettled payment obligations are equal to or greater than thepredetermined maximum threshold amount, when communication with thepayment system cannot be established; and upon establishment ofcommunications with the payment system thereafter, performing the stepof transmitting the signal to the payment system for settlement of atleast a part of a total outstanding balance.
 20. The method of claim 14,further comprising the steps of: transmitting a transactionauthorization signal to the network-accessible merchant offering theselected item without concurrently requiring payment for thetransaction, when the total of the cost of the selected item and anyprior unsettled payment obligations are equal to or greater than thepredetermined maximum threshold amount, when such transaction occurswhen such device is a time-sensitive transaction state; and performingthe step of transmitting the signal to the payment system for settlementof at least a part of a total outstanding balance, when the device is nolonger in the time-sensitive transaction state.
 21. The method of claim14, wherein the payment system includes at least one of anetwork-accessible payment service provider, cryptocurrency ledger, andan electronic wallet associated with the user.
 22. The method of claim14, wherein the transaction is either for a purchase, rental or access,associated with the selected item.
 23. The method of claim 14, whereinthe transaction is either for a purchase or rental of, or access togoods and/or services of at least one of physical items, digital items,publications, music, and/or digital images to displayed in the virtualenvironment.
 24. The method of claim 14, wherein the transactionmanagement widget further indicates at least one of a credit amount,discount and/or voucher.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein the voucheris for earned credit and/or discount for at least one of a product,video game, service, and/or access to a concert, sports event,theatrical play, museum, gallery, or tour.
 26. The method of claim 25wherein the voucher was earned for engaging in an activity in thevirtual environment and the earned credit and/or discount is for the atleast one of a product, video game, service, and/or access to a concert,sports event, theatrical play, museum, gallery, or tour in the realworld.